CAKES are being baked and coffee is being brewed by staff and pupils of a Wirral primary school who hope to raise vital funds for cancer charities this week in memory of a much-loved teacher.

Year Two teacher Sherida Cotgrave passed away last February after battling with cancer. She was only 38.

Since then, her pupils at Woodchurch CE Primary School have raised £1,800 in her memory.

Plant sales, celebration days and this Friday’s cake sale – which ties in with Macmillan Cancer Support’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning event – are just some of the ways children have paid tribute to PE co-ordinator Sherida.

Head of key stage two, Laura Jones, said: “We held a celebration day in April where the children could take part in a range of sporting activities to celebrate her life.

“We had circus skills, a bouncy castle, ‘diddy’ car races and dance competitions – topped off with a balloon release at the end of the day, allowing the children to send a message to heaven to say goodbye.”

The school has been inundated with donations for Macmillan and Wirral Hospice St John’s and is now up to £1,800.

Ms Jones said they hope Friday’s coffee afternoon, held by Sherida’s last class – who are now in Year Four – will allow them to hit their £2,000 target.

She said: “They adored her and are really proud that they can raise money for the hospice that cared for her when she was so poorly.

“It’s a little positive to come from a very dark time.”